Supreme Court Goes "On the Road" at St. Johnsbury Academy on October 15

The Vermont Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in three cases at St. Johnsbury Academy on Thursday, October 15, 2026.

The Justices usually hear oral arguments in the Supreme Court building in Montpelier, but in the fall they go "On the Road" to hear arguments at a Vermont high school.

South Church Hall on the St. Johnsbury campus will be transformed into a courtroom for the day so that students and teachers can experience the appellate process. Arguments will follow the same pattern as ones held in the Supreme Court courtroom. Each side will have fifteen minutes to argue its case. The three cases scheduled raise a variety of legal issues including whether an inmate can sue the State for injuries suffered after slipping in a prison yard, whether a defendant's case should be dismissed based on the State's failure to disclose information about the victim's condition before trial, and whether a landfill facility is required to obtain a permit to install a permanent PFAS treatment system.

The goal of this event is to help students better understand Vermont's judicial system by observing the state's highest court up close and interacting with the Supreme Court Justices. For many, the judicial branch is the least understood branch of government, and "On the Road" is a way to show the community how it works.

"We are honored to bring the work of the Vermont Supreme Court to St. Johnsbury Academy, and thankful for the school's support and cooperation," Chief Justice Paul Reiber said. "We hope that the real-time exposure to the appellate and judicial process will provide students with a greater understanding of civics and the justice system. In turn, I know that the students will inspire us with their curiosity and energy. Perhaps this experience will encourage them to pursue a career in public service or the law."

"We're thrilled to welcome the Vermont Supreme Court to St. Johnsbury Academy's campus," said Headmaster Dr. Sharon Howell. "For our students, this is a remarkable opportunity to see the law in action—to experience firsthand how legal questions are considered, debated, and decided in real cases. There is something especially powerful about bringing that experience directly to students here in the Northeast Kingdom, where it might otherwise feel distant or abstract. We hope this visit inspires them to see themselves as participants in civic life, and to recognize that the law, and the institutions that uphold it, are a part of the world they can help to shape."

The students will have an opportunity to interact with the Justices during a question-and-answer session and over lunch.

The public is welcome to attend the hearings, scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. The elevator at South Church Hall is not currently operational and attendees will be required to use the stairs to access the building. There will also be a livestream on the Judiciary's YouTube channel. Existing rules of etiquette apply for members of the public and for the media during court proceedings. Everyone will be required to go through routine security screening, so early arrival is advisable.

For media interested in speaking with SJA students or faculty, please contact Steve Legge, Director of Marketing, at steve.legge@stjacademy.org.